Key Message

The available data and evaluations show that the concentration of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) is high in biota (though less so in sediments) throughout the Baltic Sea. The status of the sum of PBDE congeners (28, 47, 99, 100, 153 and 154) in fish, during the period 2011 to 2016, shows that the threshold is exceeded at every monitoring site in the Baltic Sea, resulting in all fish monitoring areas being classified as 'not good status' (Key message figure 1). The core indicator threshold value is the EU Environmental Quality Standard (EQS) of 0.0085 µg kg-1 wet weight (ww) in fish. The threshold is considered to be very precautionary and is due for review by the EU Chemicals Working Group.

Key message figure 1: Status assessment results based on the evaluation of the indicator Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Status assessments are provided as a summary using the One-Out-All-Out approach (main figure), for biota (upper inset), and for sediment (lower inset). The assessment is carried out using Scale 4 HELCOM assessment units (defined in the HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment Strategy Annex 4). Click here to access interactive maps at the HELCOM Map and Data Service: PBDEs.

Concentrations of single PBDE congeners are declining, but the availability of long time series is limited in the Baltic Sea and concentrated to the western parts of the region.

The confidence of the indicator evaluation is high.

The indicator is applicable in the waters of all countries bordering the Baltic Sea.

Relevance of the core indicator

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are toxic and persistent substances that bioaccumulate in the marine foodweb. Increasing concentrations of PBDEs were detected in the environment in past decades as their use as commercial flame retardants increased. The use of most PBDE products have been banned in Europe during the last 10 years, and as a result decreasing concentrations are detected for some of the PBDE congeners.

Policy relevance of the core indicator

BSAP Segment and Objectives

MSFD Descriptors and Criteria

Primary link

Concentrations of hazardous substances close to natural levels

D8 Contaminants

- D8C1 Within coastal and territorial waters and beyond territorial waters the concentrations of contaminants do not exceed the threshold value

Secondary link

Fish safe to eat

D9 Contaminants in fish and other seafood

- D9C1 The level of contaminants in edible tissues (muscle, liver, roe, flesh or other soft parts, as appropriate) of seafood (including fish, crustaceans, molluscs, echinoderms, seaweed and other marine plants) caught or harvested in the wild (excluding fin-fish from mariculture) does not exceed the threshold value

Other relevant legislation: The Water Framework Directive and EC regulation No 850/2004 (and its following amendments) and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. ​ ​